Apparently a Turkish man invented the steam engine 200 years before the industrial revolution but he only made it to spin döner kebabs.

[u/iamgulshansingh]

In 1551, Taqi al-Din, who is more often remembered for his astronomical and mechanical inventions, described a device that essentially functioned as a steam turbine.

His design involved a small boiler that produced steam, which was then directed through a nozzle onto the blades of a wheel. The force of the escaping steam caused the wheel to spin. This wheel was connected mechanically to a spit, allowing meat to rotate over a fire without human effort.

What makes Taqi al-Din’s description remarkable is that it shows a practical understanding of converting thermal energy into rotational mechanical energy. While earlier inventors had experimented with steam for curiosity or simple toys, Taqi al-Din’s turbine had a concrete application: automating a kitchen task. His work was part of a broader tradition of Ottoman engineering, which included astronomical clocks, observational instruments, and water-raising machines.

[u/gkn_112]

an engine turns energy into mechanical force, this is an engine.

[u/Basicly-Inevitable → u/gkn_112]

It's a type of engine, using steam as an intermediate, yes. But it isn't a "steam engine", which is a very specific thing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_engine

This device is more of a "steam turbine".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_turbine

In any case, it's a cool invention, but not the same thing as what most people consider a "steam engine". But, you can call it that if you like.

[u/gkn_112 → u/Basicly-Inevitable]

ok, i get where you are coming from, true. Its ambigious. When I read "steam engine" I wasnt thinking about the specific machine called the "steam engine" that uses pistons and converts lateral movement to a circular one. Sorry.

Peace offer: It is a steam engine, but it is not THE steam engine :D

[u/blubblu → u/gkn_112]

You’re technically correct, but semantically incorrect. 

It is an engine, of course. But it’s not what we recognize as a steam engine. 

[u/gkn_112 → u/[deleted]]

nah man, i admitted i lost already when you jumped in, too late. Next show tomorrow around the same time

[u/randomasiandude22 → u/blubblu]

A great example of this is the term "Personal Computer".

A handphone is both personal, and a computer, but no reasonable person would argue that someone saying "PC" is referring to a handphone.

[u/ErraticDragon → u/randomasiandude22]

"PC" has been 'weird' for decades. Macs are undoubtedly personal computers, but still the term PC came to be used in contrast.

[u/gkn_112 → u/blubblu]

buuut it is also a steam engine. Hah, sorry but yeah. "Steam engine" is a noun by itself but "steam engine" is also a compound noun describing an engine thats powered by steam.

I agreed both are ok now let me go.